Hydrocarbon spillage absorbing and bioremediating device and method

ABSTRACT

A mass of hydrophobic, oleophilic absorptive material forming a matrix in juxtaposition to a core (A) of concentrated biologically active material containing microbial organisms and nutrients. The matrix (B) stores an accumulation of petroleum based hydrocarbons from an external source for wicking into the matrix for controlled reduction into a more benign material. Preferably, the microbial organisms comprise bacteria, and the core and the matrix are biodegradable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a device and method for absorption,retention, and biomediation of hydrocarbons to avoid pollutionespecially such as may result from marine oil and fuel spills.

[0002] In addition to booms for controlling oil tanker spills and thelike, there has long been a need for a bilge or sump oil absorber thatcombines the advantages of high absorbency and containment properties ofmelt blown polypropylene absorbents presently on the market with thebioremediation properties of systems containing bacteria that consume,over a period of time, accumulated hydrocarbons.

[0003] Polypropylene and similar absorbents have disadvantages in thatthey do not consume or remediate hydrocarbons but simply trap them and,as a result, must be disposed of as either hazardous waste or, in a casewhere they meet certain criteria may end up in a landfill whereresulting pollution is passed from water to land.

[0004] Bioremediation products on the market which include a microbialcomponent such as hydrocarbon neutralizing bacteria do degraderelatively small amounts of hydrocarbons but cannot handle large amountsas might result, for example, from a sudden release of fuel/oil into thebilge or sump of a boat. If exposed to large quantities of hydrocarbonsthe microbial materials are usually overwhelmed and killed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention toprovide a device for absorbing large quantities of hydrocarbons forcontrolled bioremediation over time.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a bioremediatingdevice and method wherein large amounts of hydrocarbons may be extractedas from an external spill and stored for breakdown in a controlledsequence over a period of time. After remediation has progressed withinthe device biologically active material may escape so as to furthertreat remaining external hydrocarbons thus further protecting theenvironment from hydrocarbon pollution.

[0007] The invention contemplates combining high absorbencycharacteristics of products like polypropylene to facilitate a timedrelease of bacteria specific to degrading hydrocarbons. Large externalaccumulations of hydrocarbons are absorbed by an outside matrix ofpolypropylene or cellulose which may contain nutrients and microbialorganisms. The matrix primary function is to retain an accumulation ofhydrocarbons and wick them into core in juxtaposed relation therewithwhere a concentrated source of bacteria are released on a timecontrolled basis to consume the accumulation of absorbed hydrocarbonswhich over time are broken down to more benign material.

[0008] Highly absorptive forms of recycled cellulose have been found tobe in the order of about 90% as efficient as melt blown polypropylenefor absorbing hydrocarbons and would allow the entire device tobiodegrade as in a landfill. The necessary components for operation ofthe device include water, oxygen, nutrients, bacteria or other suitableorganisms and the hydrocarbons.

[0009] While the invention has been described in the context of a bilgeor sump oil absorber many uses will be found for the device and methodof the invention including controlling and bioremediating many largerspills and the like on land as well as water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The construction designed to carry out the invention will behereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

[0011] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading ofthe following specification and by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention isshown and wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a bilgeabsorber constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 in FIG. 1illustrating a single core centrally located in respect to a matrix;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating amodified form of the invention wherein more than a single core are injuxtaposition in respect to a surrounding matrix; and

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another modified form ofthe invention wherein the matrix is pillow shaped with core materialcentrally located therein for efficient naturalization of fuel and oilspills.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] A high absorbency device and method is described and illustratedfor containment and bioremediation of hydrocarbons. Referring to thedrawings a core member A contains microbial organisms preferablybacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbons. The core member has amechanism for controlled release of the microbial organisms therefromwhen contacted by hydrocarbons. A matrix B of highly absorbent materialcontains the core member. The matrix includes hydrophobic, oleophilicmaterial for containing an accumulation of hydrocarbons from an externalsource and wicking hydrocarbons from said accumulation into contact withthe core member thereby triggering controlled release of the microbialorganisms from the core member for wicking or being otherwise introducedinto the matrix and thereby into contact with the accumulation ofhydrocarbons for controlled degrading thereof. Thus, the hydrocarbonsare absorbed into the matrix and accumulated therein for controlledreduction by the action of the microbial organisms into a more benignmaterial thereby avoiding environmental pollution.

[0017] The device and method contemplate reducing contaminationresulting from the untoward release or undesired accumulation ofpetroleum based hydrocarbons so that they may be absorbed, entrapped inlarge volume and bioremediated, in situ, by the combination of highabsorbency cellulose or melt blown polypropylene with a controlled ortimed release bacterial source, reacting with the hydrocarbons to renderthem into material of reduced toxicity.

[0018] Heretofore, only high capacity absorbents, such as melt blownpolypropylene which do not bioremediate hydrocarbons but simply entrapthem for later disposal and other bioremediating structures on themarket offer bioremediation capabilities for small quantities ofhydrocarbon but cannot handle larger quantities as they are overwhelmedor poisoned when confronted with relatively large quantities ofhydrocarbon.

[0019] Referring more particularly to the drawings, an outer cover orsac 10 preferably of cotton textile material, but which may be of anyother porous material, is used as a casing that is filled with a specialform of treated cellulose 11, which absorbs only oils not water, isimpregnated with a release capsule, water activated tablet, bag orsuitable container 12 which is included in the core A for timed orcontrolled release of bacteria once the absorbed hydrocarbons come intocontact with core material. The capsule containing bacteria of the genusPseudomonas, Candida, Geatriclum, Actinomucor or other suitable genusand variations that consume hydrocarbon and sufficient nutrients in theform of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium is activated by thehydrocarbon releasing the bacteria. At this point, the bacteriaimmediately begin to consume the hydrocarbon material and multiplyconsuming all available hydrocarbon as food thereby increasing theirrate of multiplication. When constructed of all natural material, thisstructure is entirely reduced to benign material when disposed of in thetrash.

[0020] A suitable core material B may include biologically activematerial which comprises microbial organisms, preferably bacteria, andnutrients such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,667 orU.S. Pat. No. 5,807,724. Such material provides a mechanism forcontrolled release of microbial organisms when contacted by water andthe hydrocarbons. A core is a concentration of biologically activematerial and may be contained as in a tea bag 12, tablets or pellets orotherwise collected for contacting or placed in juxtaposition with amatrix. A single core or multiple cores may be utilized in practicingthe invention as illustrated in FIG. 3. A pillow shaped matrixcontaining the core also provides an efficient configuration forreducing hydrocarbon spills.

[0021] Suitable material for the matrix A includes melt blownpolypropylene such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,547 or otherhighly absorbent plastic material. Naturally occurring highly absorbentmaterial includes cellulosic material which is biodegradable. Forexample, a cellulosic material, Cell-U-Sorb marketed by Product ServicesMarketing Group of 20354 Empire Avenue, Suite D1, Bend, Oreg. 97701 ishighly absorbent. These absorbent materials are exemplary of suitablematrix materials. Biodegradable matrix material is preferred because anentire device may be constructed so as to be reduced essentially tocarbon dioxide and water. As used herein the word absorbent is used inits broadest sense meaning to suck up or to collect. While it isnecessary that the matrix B be in juxtaposition in respect to the core Bto carry out the wicking and bioremediating functions described hereinit is not essential that the matrix surround the core or be in anyparticular geometric relation to each other.

[0022] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What I claimed is:
 1. An absorbent device for containment andbioremediation of hydrocarbons comprising: a core member containingmicrobial organisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons said core memberhaving a mechanism for controlled release of the microbial organisms toact upon the hydrocarbons; and a matrix of highly absorbent materialbeing in juxtaposition to the core member, said matrix includinghydrophobic, oleophilic material storing an accumulation of hydrocarbonsfrom an external source and wicking hydrocarbons from said accumulationinto contact with microbial organisms from the core member forcontrolled degrading thereof; whereby the hydrocarbons are absorbed intothe matrix and accumulated therein for controlled reduction by theaction of the microbial organisms into a more benign material therebyavoiding environmental pollution.
 2. The absorbent device set forth inclaim 1 wherein the hydrophobic, oleophilic material is a cellulosicbiodegradable material.
 3. The absorbent device set forth in claim 1wherein the hydrophobic, oleophilic material is fibrous melt blownpolypropylene.
 4. The absorbent device set forth in claim 1 wherein thecore member contains nutrient material, and wherein the microbialorganisms comprise bacteria.
 5. The absorbent device set forth in claim4 including a porous cover containing the matrix and the core.
 6. Theabsorbent device set forth in claim 5 configured as an elongated packagefor use as a bilge or sump oil absorber.
 7. The absorbent device setforth in claim 4 wherein a single core member is centrally locatedwithin the matrix.
 8. The absorbent device set forth in claim 7 whereinthe core and the matrix are elongated and have a generally circularcross-section.
 9. The absorbent device set forth in claim 7 wherein thecore is contained in a matrix shaped as a flat pillow.
 10. method ofabsorbing hydrocarbons for containment and bioremediation comprising thesteps of: positioning a core member containing microbial organismscapable of degrading hydrocarbons and having a mechanism for controlledrelease of the microbial organisms for contact with the hydrocarbons;placing a matrix of absorbent hydrophobic, oleophilic material injuxtaposition with the core member; absorbing and storing anaccumulation of hydrocarbons from an external source in the matrix;wicking hydrocarbons from the accumulation into contact with materialfrom the core member; and subjecting the microbial organisms toengagement with the accumulation of hydrocarbons for controlleddegrading thereby; whereby the hydrocarbons are absorbed into thematerial and accumulated therein for reduction over time by the actionof the microbial organisms into a more benign material for avoidingenvironmental pollution.
 11. The method set forth in claim 10 includingthe step of subjecting the microbial organisms to engagement with theaccumulation of hydrocarbons by wicking the released microbial organismsinto the matrix for reduction by the action of the microbial organisms.12. The method set forth in claim 11 including the steps of surroundingat least one core member with said absorbent hydrophobic, oleophilicmaterial of the matrix; and confining the core and the matrix within acover of absorptive material.